Role of leprosy villages and leprosaria in Shandong Province, People's Republic of China: past, present and future.

In the late phase of the leprosy control programme in Shandong Province, People's Republic of China, there are a few old and disabled ex-patients living in 54 leprosy villages/leprosaria. The small, and declining number of patients makes the running of these leprosy villages/leprosaria uneconomic. In this paper, we review the history and the role of leprosy villages/leprosaria in the care of leprosy patients and the control programme in Shandong province. We then analyse the present situation of the 643 people still living in these leprosy villages/leprosaria, using information collected from a questionnaire-based survey. Finally, we offer some suggestions and recommendations for policy makers and leprosy control managers, in order to improve the present situation and make better use of existing resources.